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“Into your eyes my face remains” by anandah

This media story has been brought to my attention, and there are a few things that I feel need to be said. It is a perfect example of how stereotypes and prejudice can damage a person whose crime is being passionate about a breed of dog others love to hate. As far as the details with laws and regulations, I do not know enough to comment. However, I do know when assumptions are ruling over the truth, and people are being scared for no valid reason. This article is written for the sole purpose of bringing light to the way people can be manipulated through words and prejudgment.

The use of words in the media.
What is brought to your mind when you think of “pit bull kennel”? Is it barking dogs chained in the mud? Dog fights and abuse? What if I said “professional show kennel?” Is what you picture cleanliness, covered pens, and well-taken care of dogs? So when the media mentions a “pit bull kennel” is built near a school, the picture in most everyone’s head is likely to be completely different than the truth. If they mentioned that these dogs are in secure kennels, behind several levels of fencing, in a professional quality show kennel, perhaps their reaction would be different? See for yourself.

And why not mention that these are highly successful show dogs? The slang term “pit bull” may describe the dogs, but truly they are carefully bred AKC American Staffordshire Terriers, and UKC American Pit Bull Terriers. No, the term “pit bull” is much more effective in scaring people. These are show dogs, like the dogs you see on TV trotting around a ring, fat and happy. These are extremely well taken care of dogs, who need to have the temperament and conformation to represent the best of the breed. I am guessing that most people who are afraid of these dogs have not been looking at all of his show wins? Those judges with the blue ribbons and big trophies sure don’t look scared of the dogs. Obviously he cares about showing and breeding dogs to a professional level where they can succeed in the conformation ring. He cares about keeping them safe and happy.
SHOW WINS
At Westminster

The “Safety of the children”
I know it can be hard for people who haven’t met well-bred and well taken care of APBTs, but it’s the truth: Pit Bulls are great with children. They are not inherently dangerous. The idea that these dogs will break out of their kennels, jump the fence, run across a field, go straight to the school, and attack children playing outside is just ludicrous. As soon as people mention “But think of the children!” we forget reason, and agree that whatever that person said must be true. Especially if they are nuns. I know there are lots of news articles about pit bulls attacking children, but it is the incidents that need to be examined. Neglected dogs, unattended children, food or toys involved, etc. are the causes. And these causes certainly are not breed specific. I won’t go into this further here, but you can see more of my thought on this subject here. I definitely agree that the safety of children is important, but I think that when examining the danger, there needs to be an honest assessment. It doesn’t do good to assume danger where there is none. Well-secured, well-taken care of dogs aren’t a problem, regardless of the assumptions caused by their name.

I am sure I have posted these before, but they deserve re-visits:
Kids for Pits
Kids and Pits

In conclusion –
Even through all the evidence, all the efforts that pit bull owners use to get their dogs certified as therapy dogs, visiting schools and libraries, educating and receiving obedience and temperament certifications, there will always be those who will say their dogs are inherently vicious. Unfortunately responsible pit bull owners receive the negative repercussions of bad owners who treat their dogs poorly, put them in bad situations, and enjoy making their dogs appear vicious. Unfortunately those bad owners get more attention. They cause people to overlook the good owners and their good dogs. They cause people like Kenny Gonzales to have to spend excessive time, money, and energy to protect their dogs’ welfare. If these dogs were any other breed, would anyone complain? These are pets, show dogs, champions, companions. They are not blood-thirsty monsters waiting for the next attack. I wish dearly that people would take the time to think clearly. To see that there is nothing to fear from well taken care of dogs, kept in secure kennels, with a responsible owner. Let reason overrule assumption.

Thank you so much for reading this article!

If you enjoyed it, please consider a small donation to Caesar’s Toys and Treats Fund. He finds my writing boring, and thinks he should get something in return!

I hope you all have a safe and joyous Holiday Season!

More Zoomies caught on tape! She’s Got Heart’s “Helena” having fun!

Tennis Court Zoomie

Wardrobe Malfunction Zoomie

Keeping the Pacific Ocean at bay

Pit Bull and German Shorthaired Pointer double zoomie

Olive doing zoomies in her favorite spot in the woods

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Several recent reads have given me a lot to think about, in regards to our relationship with our four-legged friends. Just typing that, I think about what those words mean. I call a dog a friend, just like any other buddy… but with more legs. Obviously, one word cannot define the relationship between a human and their dog, just as other terms like “child”, “companion”, “pet”, or “possession” don’t fit either. Somewhere in the middle, there is a combination of all of these, a term that contains all of these definitions and more… and the best I can come up with is “Dog”. The dog that when you say “I have a dog” or “My dog did such-and-such”, causes other dog people to break into a smile and share their own stories, ask to hear more about yours, and the two of you can carry on an entire conversation based only around the dogs you share your lives with. So I will stick with “Dog”. Maybe with a capital “D” to make it official.

The King of Charvil by maistora

So where I meant to start with all of this, was that some recent reads have made me think more deeply about our relationships with Dogs. The first was “Merle’s Door”, a book I found to be a thought provoking, and wonderfully written true story. The second was an enlightening essay featured in Bark’s book “Howl”, entitled “Dog is My Co-Dependent”. Both have a theme that kept standing out to me… is the way we treat our dogs really the best for them? Does our desire for keeping our relationship benefit them as much as us? I am not talking about those who don’t care for their dogs at all (leaving them outside alone 24/7, ignoring them, or even abusing them), I am talking about those like me… who love our Dogs so much that we want them to be safe in a fenced yard, on a short leash, or by our sides? Would our Dogs be better off if they could choose when to go outside, sleep under the stars, follow their noses, and kill their own dinner? Or are they just as content to curl up next to our warmth, have food provided for them, play fetch, and go for a walk around the neighborhood? Of course, I don’t know the answer. But having the question brought to my attention has certainly provided me with a lot to think about.

Desert Dog Looking for Trouble by kretyen

We want our Dogs to be happy. We want to be happy with our Dogs. We want them to enjoy spending time with us, to be okay when we leave the house without them, to be happy to play fetch or Frisbee with us, and to fall asleep by our sides later on. We have Dogs, because we like their companionship. I think that is the basis of our relationship. We just hope that they like our companionship just as much… that they enjoy spending time with us as much as we do with them. And for the most part, I think that is true. Dogs like to play with their families, to sleep by their sides, and to trot along next to them on the sidewalk. But I can’t help but wonder. If given the opportunity… would we be the ones they spent most of their time with? Or with a giant world to explore, would they go wandering off on their own, to come back to say hello at night, to come lie next to us and tell us all about their day with a smile and a wag? Would we be better friends for it? Better parents, owners, guardians?

Of course, most situations don’t allow us to find out. We keep our dogs in the city or suburbs with parks of manicured grass to play on, sidewalks with mailboxes to pee on, and backyards with other dogs to bark at. They stay in a crate during the day, take a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood at night. We feed them human-grade ingredients, keep them clean and healthy and feeling good. We take them to trainers and teach them to sit, lie down, stay. We tell them we love them and they give us sweet eyes and lick us back. It’s not half-bad. It’s probably pretty darn good. They are safe, loved, taken care of, and happy. Life is good. But the dog inside the Dog must have to feel that something is missing. Perhaps it is the independence to explore, and to live their life on their own terms.

Noble Dog by cbruno

It’s not fair to let them go completely, however, and I don’t think they would want that. You can see with strays, or in feral populations, the dogs won’t live long, or be healthy or well fed. They desire and thrive from human companionship. It’s too late in our connected stories to forget about the importance of our relationship. They need us now, as well. But I feel that we owe it to them to give them some of that freedom when we can. They laugh at our stupid jokes, cuddle with us when we are feeling sad, make us smile when we need it most. Let’s give them the fresh air, the new smells, the feeling of running through the grass, chasing birds, and forgetting all about “heel” “sit” and “good dog”. At least once in a while. Once in a while, take them to a new park or on a new trail. Let them smell the same spot over and over again for as long as they want. Find a big fenced area, and let them wander around at their own pace. Let them decide when to walk, when to lie down, when to come inside. Let them make their own choices and let it be okay. And every day, give them fresh air, a chance to run, and a new place to smell. We don’t want our dogs running loose, but we don’t want them trapped either. They need more than the same backyard and inside of a house. They need the chance to run, play, and explore. Maybe just doing these little things can give them a bit of the freedom that they lost when they came into our homes and became our Dogs, and maybe we can be better friends, owners, parents, and guardians for it.

My new best friend by identity chris is

Thank you so much for reading this article!

If you enjoyed it, please consider a small donation to Caesar’s Toys and Treats Fund.

Ball Zoomies!

Zoomies too fast for the camera!

Beck, a two year old Pit Bull/Sharpei mix enjoying her acre of land

Eve enjoying zoomies in the snow!

Eve on a walk ~ watch out!

Double zoomies

Zoomie casualty!

A Happy Marley

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